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The Guru

The Guru

When he talks, women listen.

200294 minRMidcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
Director
Daisy von Scherler Mayer
Starring
Jimi Mistry, Heather Graham, Marisa Tomei, Michael McKean

Bored with Bollywood movies but fascinated with their Hollywood counterparts from his youth, Ram dreams to become a singer and actor in America, the country where dreams are made. He is encouraged when his American-based close friend, Vijay Rao, comes for visit, and brags about driving a Mercedes and living in a penthouse.

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Guru?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove does not list The Guru on any major US streaming service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about The Guru?

The Guru earns 3 badges, led by Overhyped and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office

Reception

Is The Guru worth watching?

The Guru's Midcredits score is the 23rd percentile of all films, from 19K ratings across 6 sources. 33% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

23rd percentile

Better received than 23% of films

24th percentile among Comedy23rd percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)22nd
Approval (how many liked it)27th

52 /100

22nd percentile of all films

22nd percentile among Comedy22nd percentile among 2000s

Critics 47 · Audience 53

Audiences liked it more than critics did.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 5.6 — solid but not unanimous.

33% liked it

27th percentile of all films

28th percentile among Comedy25th percentile among 2000s
33% rated it 7–1067% rated it 1–6

Critics 57% · Audience 40%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 1 noms overall

86th percentile

19K ratings across platforms

84th percentile among Comedy79th percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$11M
Opening weekend$613K
Domestic gross$3.1M
Worldwide gross$24M

Returned 2.2× its budget — 84th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film is a lightweight, predictable romantic comedy that blends Bollywood-style song-and-dance with a familiar fish-out-of-water story.

Fans praised

  • infectious Bollywood-style musical numbers
  • charming and likable lead performance from Jimi Mistry
  • light, feel-good romantic comedy with warm humor

Detractors panned

  • formulaic and predictable plot with no surprises
  • reliant on stale ethnic stereotypes for cheap laughs
  • uneven tone and weak script with unfunny jokes

What stands out

Sound and musicDivisive70

infectious Bollywood songs and Grease homage

ActingDivisive63

Mistry charming but limited; Graham and Tomei game but uneven

HumorDivisive50

mildly amusing; relies on sexual innuendo and culture-clash gags

DialogueDivisive48

some witty lines but mostly forgettable

Pacing48

uneven; lags between musical numbers

OriginalityDivisive44

derivative premise; fresh only in Bollywood-Hollywood fusion

Plot and storyDivisive42

highly predictable romantic-comedy formula

CharactersDivisive40

one-note stereotypes with little depth or development

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 4 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Watch experience

What is The Guru like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something warm that leaves you smiling.

It is gentle and funny and leaves you feeling good. Skip it when you want something with weight.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
JoyfulWarm
Heaviest: middle
Warm humor
Register
PlayfulRomantic · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film treats its premise of a porn-inspired sex guru with playful, affectionate humour, never fully ironic but never taking itself seriously.
The rideThe film sustains a cheerful, romantic mood with only mild dramatic tension when Sharonna's secret is revealed in the middle act.
StructureThe story follows a straightforward chronological arc from Ramu's arrival in America to his romantic resolution.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Feeling good.

The answer rests on this: Feel-goodFun
Why it leaves you this wayThe film leaves a light, happy feeling and a sense of romantic satisfaction.
How it ends · evidence
Happy ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Rags
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21%: Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3% (this title): Underdog triumph 2% (this title) · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Rags to riches: A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition. · Underdog triumph: Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).

3% of films fit this archetype

with Comedy underneath

Why this archetypeRamu's journey from a naive immigrant to a celebrated sex guru follows a classic rags-to-riches arc, with his success built on a false identity as a spiritual leader.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfRomanticlove
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27% (this title): Romantic love 15% (this title) · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% (this title) · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Romantic love · 15% of filmsIdentity · 14% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film uses a romantic comedy framework to explore the tension between authentic love and the false identity Ramu adopts as a guru.
StanceThe film celebrates the choice of authentic romantic love over material success and false fame.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
PopWorldForeground music · hybrid
SettingNew York City immigrant and upper-class social scenes
MusicThe musical numbers blend Bollywood dance traditions with Western pop, driving the film's energetic, cross-cultural identity.

Content guide

Is The Guru okay for kids?

R

The Guru is rated R: “Rated R for strong sexual content including dialogue, and for language” (MPAA). As of October 2, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at minimal (0/100), sexual content at moderate (48/100), language at severe (92/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (33/100) and frightening material at minimal (0/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 8 other countries
  • UK15
  • Germany6
  • Ireland15
  • JapanPG12
  • Austria6
  • Czechia12+
  • SK15
  • Switzerland6
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 50%
Profanity
Severe
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Frightening / Intense
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (1 vote)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (18 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does The Guru have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Guru?

Cast

Jimi Mistry
as Ramu Gupta
Heather Graham
as Sharonna
Marisa Tomei
as Lexi
Michael McKean
as Dwain
Dash Mihok
as Rusty McGee
Emil Marwa
as Vijay Rao
Christine Baranski
as Chantal
Ronald Guttman
as Edwin
Bobby Cannavale
as Randy
Jason Harris
as Josh's Assistant

Crew

More like this

What are movies like The Guru?

Movies like The Guru include Yesterday (2019), Isn't It Romantic (2019) and Follow the Fleet (1936). Of the 12 closest matches, most are friends-to-lovers stories, and several are musicals.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its subject: romantic love. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with The Guru?

1.8K other films share the rarest tag below, relationship: friends to lovers. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.